Planoorapri co



G. P. BRAND.

UNIT ACTiON FOR PNEUMATIC MUSlCAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPUCATWN FILED OCT- 3,1916. 1,308,159. Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

' fi/zrm THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cccccc SmNnToN, D. c.

a. BRAND. UNIT ACTION FOR PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

- APPLICATTON FILED OCT. 3. 1916- Patented July 1, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2 GEORGE P. BRAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

UNIT-ACTION FOR PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1, 1919.

Application filed October 3, 1916. Serial No. 123,477.

To (ZZZ whom may comment Be it known that I, Gnoncn P. BRAND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident. of New York, in the county of the Bronx and State of New York, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Unit- Actiontor Pneumatic Musical Instruments, of which the, following is a specification.

The invention relates to musical instruments and is specifically adapted to the action chest in which the valves foractuating the player pneumatics are arranged and controlled.

The object of the invention is to provide a condensed unified form of action chest well adapted to be placed directly in the instrument back of the fall boardand in con auction with the spool-box. in a condensed form, within the limits of which the \vippens or other connecting apparatus of the piano action may be readily connected and actuated.

A further object is to provide a unit valve construction which may be applied to or re moved from the action chest andof a form and cmstruction which may be readily manufactured as a unit and applied within the chest.

Of course, the invention herein described and shown is not limited to its particular application as illustrated by the drawings, but (amtemplates a unified valve-box and ivalve which may be applied to or removed from an instrument without disturbingthe various other valves and appurtenant parts which i are utilized on each of the keys of the instruinent.

Heretofore it has been a practice to build.

up an action or valve chestwith set and predetermined ducts, alves and other appur- I tcnai'ices which would actuate and cont-rot from the tracker-board the various key pneumatics. f

The present invention has to'do with an action chest in which the valve units are scparable-one"for each player pneumatic and each removable and adpi'stable All of of one gle board or side of the suction or action chamber.

lVith the device herein described a most condensed form of apparatus is possible and a most simple type of device is made most efficient.

The condensation is largely due to the form of unit valve apparatus which is conveniently mounted upon one wall of the exhaust or action chamber.

The simplicity of the device exists through the individual unit form of valve construction combined and made adjustable upon the wall of the action chest and connected directly through said wall with the player pneumatics.

As illustrated herein, three tiers of valves and pncumatics are-shown but the number and disposition of the valve units and pueu-- matics may be varied. I

The pneumatics may be of any type. The up-thrust principle is illustrated in the pres' ent case as being a convenient and at present a possible form of practice.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation with parts broken away showing the interior of the action chest and its valves.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the action chest showing the possible connections of the player pneumatics with the wippens of the piano action.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through the device. I

Fig. i is a detail vertical section on enlarged scale of one of the valve units.

Fig. 5 is a plan view partially in section of the valve units.

' It has been a practice to provide valve actions in onjunction with an. exhaust chest iirwhich said actions have been connected to the exhaust chestor bellows either individually or in multiple and, of course, with 4 a connection from the tracker-board for venting the valves so that the valves would control the striker pnenmaties.

It is one/of the principal objects ofthe presentinvention to arrange all of the ele meats from the striker pneumatics to main suction, in a condensed form. and a.

unitary form so that the striker pneumatics may be readily mounted in a distinct and staple manner and will have a direct con- 'nection with the valve actions which c0ntrolthe same.

t he.

The drawings do not illustrate all of the parts of a pneumatically operated instrument but pertain to the valve actions and the striker pneumatic action. or bellows.

Referring thereto, there is a suction or action chest 1, which may be formed in any illustrated and comprise a supporting wall or board. 1-, which upon one slde has sup-.

porting ledges to which are secured the striker pneumatics 6. These ledges 5. may be fastened to the supporting wall 4:, 111 any desired manner, as by screws 7, and are of.

a form which give the necessary and desired position to the striker pneumatics 6. Being separable from the wall t, the ledges 5 may be readily bored to give anin ner passage 8. from the striker pneumatics together with a second boring. 9, at right angles or substantially at right angles thereto. The bores 9 and 8. may be made readily and with accuracy and when the parts 5 are screwed into positionthev may be brought into exact registration with the openings 10, which are formed through the wall -l-.

Two openings 10. are shown for each opening 9, in order to give a mutlling effect to the ingress and egress of air from the valve mechanisms to the striker pneumatics 6.

The chest- 1, is of course closed at its ends and has a removable front-board 11. upon the removal of which all of the valve mechanisms are made available.

The top of the chest is closed by a headpiece 12. which contains ducts 13, and is made in a compositestructure with a removable duct piece 11-, (secured in position by glue) having connections 15, by which the ducts 13, may be conveniently connected to the tracker-board of an instrument.

Secure-d to the wall el, is a block 16, to

which are applied. in removable form, a series of levers l'l there being one lever foreach striker pneumatic 6. There is a pivotal connection through the rod 18. with the movable board for each of the striker pneumaties. and there isan adjustal'ile member 20. the lever 17, and the wippen 21, of the piano action where the device is used for a piano.

Within the chest 1, are formed grooves and supporting ledges 22 and upon these ledges rest the valve units 23.

These valve units are of course connected with the ducts 13, of the tracker-board through flexible or other connections 21-, and are of a unitary construction which are removable and may be removed and replaced at will as to any particular striker pneumatic with which they are utilized.

The valve units are properly insulated in their connection with the wall 4:, so that there is no possibility of leakage of air and comprise essentially a unitary form o'l? structure.

Each valve unit has a main casing a, with a. valve chamber 26. and a valve 27. The valve 27, is guided in its movement by a pin 28, and normally rests upon a valve seat 29. The unit has atmospheric openings 30, which connect directly with the ducts or openings. 10, of the wall it. and the valve is actuated or released by a diaphragm 31, whenever the tracker-duct 32, connecting with the tracker-(rims 1 1, is opened to atmospheric pressure. There is. of course, a bleed hole which equalizes the pressure above and below the diaphragm 31, when the chamber 1, is under ordinary pressure.

The operation between the-valves and the striker pneumatics 6. is one which is generally well known.

Whenever one of the tracker-ducts is vented, atmospheric air entering below the diaphragm 31, submits the diaphragm to the suction of the chest 1. Thereupon. the valve stem of the valve 27, rises and carries with it the valve 27, opening the exhaust port 29, and closing the atmospheric porthis action gives direct suction through the valve seat and port 29. to the striker pneumatics 6. A collapse of the. striker pneumaticattected raises its particular lever 17, and through the adjustable member 20, throws up the wippen 21. thus actuating the particular key of the instrument. Immediately thereafter the valve 3?. re-seats itself upon the closing of the tracker-duct and re-action through the bleed 33. It will be noted that the per'i'orat ions 10. being in multiple do not weaken :1 structure of the material or block of the valve housing. I

It is to be noted that-the individual and unitary form of valves permits readv as sembling and disassembling tor rc mjrs o replacements and, as illustrated herein. ea -h pair of adjoining valve actions held in place against the wall shby cross strain; 34-.

which bind the units of th e wall 4-. through suitable screwconnections or other (ltYlt H. illustrated herein as av screw 35.

From the abcveit is apparent that one of the unitary valve actions may moved and replaced without great venience, and makes it possible to provide un ts, for immediate replacement without disturbing the construction or connections through the wall 4. In fact, should the any he remeanvalve mechanism of any particular unit break down, it may be immediately removed and replaced by another unit. Furthermore, the arrangement provides for a condensed form of apparatus in which all oi the valve actions are immediately subject to the pressures of the chest 1, and in which it is possible to give said chest the minimum of. dimensions.

The main suction and for the chest are not specifically illustrated and, of course, may be of any desired type and form to provide the necessary tension within the chest 1.

Attention is called to the simplicity of form which adds greatly to the economy of manufacture. Thewall i, may be grooved in strips of any particular, convenient length. The valve units 23, may be made up to exact form and scale and are readily adji table to the grooves of the wall 4.

Attention is called to the valve actions of unitary form which have a main block 25 atmospheric ports 30 and a valve chamber 26. The bottom of the chamber 26 is sealed by a strip or block 25 and below said block is the pouch carrying member 25.

The main valve block and the pouch member are connected by an intermediate element. 25. The main valve block rests directly against the face of the wall 4, and the grooves provided in said wall permit an extension of the pouch member 25. This arrangement permits oli centering the valve spindle 2S, and the valve 27, with the appurtenant parts so that the center of the pouch element 25, due to itsextension within the groove of the wall, gives a considerable condensation in the whole structure.

In other words, by oil centering the valve and appurtenant parts with reference to the valve block 2"), and by arranging the diaphragm of the pouch member 25, so that it will extend into the channel of the wall 4, the width or, thickness of the valve chest may be considerably reduced. f

lVith the features above defined, it is possible to provide an action chest in which all of the valve actions are immediately acccssible. It is furthermore possible to condense the thickness of the structure. Furthcrm ore, the player pneumatics are directly connected to the exterior of the chest with certain and exact registrations of the con-' necting orifices between saidgpneumatics and the valve. actions. (The valve actions, as

units, have relief ports extending through the supporting wall of the chest, and the diaphragms are all subject to the same tension within the chest so that there is an equalization of pressure for operation of each of the diaphragms. I

There is one very desirable feature of the unit valve constructionwhich resides in the entire exposure of the diaphragm member sustaining bellows and its close juxta-position to the valve stem, giving free egress of air below the valve port. This prevents wire-drawing of the air and gives an area of exhaust greatly exceeding the demands of the valve port itself. Therefore, the striker pneumatic will operate with greater speed and there is little or no liability ot the relation of the valve and diaphragm changing to an extent which will throw the action out of adjustment.

In other words, the close relation of the diaphragm and valve spindle is such that there is no liability of shrinkage or swelling which will cause an abnormal condition. The release conditions for the air from the striker pneumatics through the valve and over the diaphragm are of maximum proportion, and the distances between the diaphragm and its connection with the valve are reduced to a minimum. It will be ob served that practically three sides of the unit above the diaphragm are open for the passage of air.

Obviously the exact detail and construction of the various elements may be varied to suit the exigencies of any particular and desirable manu'tacture. The main thought is to provide unitary elements which will register and may be adjusted into position and removed from the chest at will. The connections with the striker neumatics and the flexible er adjustable connections with the tracker-ducts permit of certain and definite connections between the unit valve structures and their elements.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A unit action comprising a complete tion chest, individual valve actions within said chest, player pueumatics exteriorly arranged upon one wall of said chest, a removable duct piece having tracker duct connections for the valve actions and ducts connecting said valve actions with the player Pneumatics, said duct piece being continuous of the member to which it is ailixed.

2. In a device of the character described an action chest having grooves formed therein, removable valve actions adjustable in said grooves and means for holding said :valve actions inadjusted position in said grooves.

3. In a device of the character described units Within the chest-in operable position with reference to the connecting ducts of the striker pneumatics.

4:. In a device of the character described an action chest, one of its walls being grooved and perforated, said groove receiving a portion of the diaphragm, striker pneuinatics on the exterior of the wall, valve actions mounted upon the interior of the wall and means for removably securing said valve actions to the wall in ope "able relation to the striker pneumatics and their ducts.

In a device of the character described an action chest having a wall perforated to form connecting ducts between a valve mechanism and a striker pneumatic, separable carriers for the striker pneumatics, ducts formed therethrough and registering with the ducts of the wall, valve actions adjust.- able and removable within the chest and means for removablv securing said valve actions to the interior wall of the action chest.

6. In a device of the character described an action chest, unitary valve structures adjustablv mounted within said action chest and upon one wall thereof and arranged in pairs, a binding means extending over and holding each pair of valve actions, means for adjustablv securing each pair of valve actions and striker pncumatics. and ducts connecting said pneumaties with the valve actions.

'7. In a device of the character described an action chest, a series of individual valve units adj ustabl mounted within Said chest and upon the inner wall thereof, striker pneumatic supports mounted upon the outer side of the wall, ducts through said wall and said supports, a series of striker pnen iatics permanenth mounted upon said supports, a rail removablv secured to said wall, actuating levers and connections between said rail and the striker pnenmaties one for each pneumatic, tracker-duct connections and a removable and renewable duct member between said tracxe1'duct connections and the individual valve actions.

8. In a device of the character described an action chest, end supports and a grooved wall therefor to receive the adjacent portion of a diaphragm, individual valve actions removablv secured to said wall within the chest, player pneumatics corresponding to the valve act-ions removablv secured to the exterior wall of the chest. and ducts connecting the player pnenmatics and the valve actions.

9. In a device of the character described an action chest, end supports and a grooved wall therefor to receive the adjacent por tion of a diaphragm, individual valve actions removablv secured to said wall within the chest. player pneumatics corresponding to the valve actions removablv secured to the exterior wall of the chest, ducts connecting the player pneumatics and the valve actions. and a removable wall giving access to all of said valve act-ions.

10. In a. device of the character described an action chest, one of its walls being grooved and adapted to receive adjacent portions of the diaphragm ot' the valve actions, valve actions of unit form within said chest and applicable to said wall and means for binding said valve actions in pairs to said wall.

11. In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved and adapted to receive the valve actions, valve actions of unit term applicable to said wall, a binding strap overlying each two adjacent valve actions and means for binding said strap against the actions and said actions against the grooved wall.

12. In a device of the character described an action chest. one of its walls being grooved to receive the adjacent portions o t the diaphragi'ns longitudinally and per-torated, unitary valve actions perforated to register with the perforatitms through the wall, player pneumatics having ducts registering with the wall openin and means tor clamping eachpair of adjacentv valve actions in position.

13. In a device oi the character described. an action chest having a removable wall and a perforated wall, one of which walls is grooved and adapted to receive the adja cent portion of the diaphragm oi an action unit, a valve'nnit applicable to the interior wall of the action chest, a d etachable member having connecting ducts, and striker pneumatic arranged upon the exterior of said grooved wall.

1i. In a device of the character described an action chest having a removable wall and a perforated wall. a series of striker pneumaties operativelv mounted upon the exterior of said perforated wall valve actions mounted upon the interior of said wall and arranged in pairs, means for holding each pair of valve actions removablv and a djustablv against said wall. ducts through said wall connecting the striker pueumati s and valve actions. and ducts adj ustablv connect ed with said valve actions through which the latter are actuated.

15. In a device of the character described an action chest, one of the walls of said chest being grooved, striker pneumatic-s exteriorly mounted upon one wall thereof. said groove adapted to receive the adjacent portion of the diaphragm, ducts connecting said striker pneumatics with the interior of the chest through the wall, unit valve actions adjustable with reference to said ducts and removable with respect to the wall, all ot' said valve actions subject to the tension of the action chest, individual connections with each of said valve actions controlling the action of the suction with reference to each of the valve units, and means for removably securing the valve units to said wall.

16. In. a. device of the character described an action chest, one of the walls of said chest being grooved, a plurality of valve members within said chest and each having an exhaust through one wall of the chest and having an open diaphragm connection with the interior of the chest, a valve arranged in the valve chamber of each valve member and a duct connnunicating with each valve chamber and with a striker pneumatic, said groove adapted to receive the adjacent portion of the diaphragm.

17. In a device of the character described, an action chest subject to air tension, one of the walls of said chest being grooved, a plurality of individual unit valve structures arranged therein and removable therefrom, each individual unit comprising a valve block with relief ports, a valve, a diaphragm controlling the operation of said valve and suspended with reference to the valve block and open to the suction of the chest, said diaphragm having an area greater than the block but with its center coincident with the valve of said block, said groove adapted to receive the adjacent portion of the diaphragm.

18'. In a device of the character described an action chest, a plurality of separable valve units removably mounted therein upon one wall of said chamber and each. comprising a valve chamber and valve arranged concentrically with reference to an actuating diaphragm, a diaphragm member suspended from the valve block and a. diaphragm for actuating the valve, a wall of the chest being grooved to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, atmospheric ports for the, valve block, communicating channels from said ports to the exterior of the valve chest and connections for controlling the action of the diaphragm.

19. In a device of the character described, an action chest adapted to receive a series of valve mechanisms andhaving one of its walls grooved to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms of said valve mechanisms.

20. In a device of the character described, an action chest adapted to receive a series of valve mechanisms and having one of its walls grooved to eceive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms of said valve mechanisms and provided with atmospheric exhaust ports.

21. In a device of the character described a valve chest having one of its walls grooved and, provided with atmospheric and exhaust ports, striker pneumatics registering with the ports upon one side, and valve mechanisms registering with the ports upon t he opposite side with their adjacent portions received Within said grooves.

22. In a devlce ofthe character described a valve chest having one of its walls grooved and provided with atmospheric and exhaust ports, striker pneumatics registering with the ports'upon one side, valve mechanisms registering with the ports upon the opposite side, said valve mechanisms having a part extending into said groove.

23. In a device of the character described a valve chest having one of its walls grooved and provided with atmospheric and exhaust ports, striker pneumatics registering with the ports upon one side, valve mechanisms registering with the ports upon the opposite side, said valve mechanisms having a part extending into said groove, and means for binding said valve mechanisms to said board.

24:. In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved and perforated and providing atmospheric and exhaust ducts, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, striker pneumatics controlled by said ducts and mounted upon one side of said wall, valve actions control.- ling said ducts and mounted upon the opposite side of said wall.

25. In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved and perforated and providing atmospheric and exhaust ducts, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacentportions of the diaphragms, striker pneumatics controlled by said ducts and mounted upon one side of said wall, valve actions controlling said ducts and mounted upon the oppo site side of said wall, and means for removably securing the striker Pneumatics and the valve actions to said board.

26. In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved and perforated and providing atmospheric and exhaust ducts, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, striker pneumatics controlled by said ducts and mounted upon one side of said wall, valve actions controlling said ducts, and mounted upon the opposite side of said wall, means for rcmovably securing the striker neumatics and the valve actions to said wall, and means for removably securing the valve actions in adjustable position upon said wall.

27. In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved and perforated and providing atmospheric and exhaust ducts, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, striker pneumatics controlled by said ducts and mounted upon one side of said wall, valve actions controlling said ducts and mounted upon the opposite side thereof, means for removably securing the striker meumatics and the valve actions to said wall, means for removably securing the valve actions in adjustable position upon said wall, and flexible connections for said valve actions.

In a device of the character described an action chest having one of its walls grooved, striker pneiunatics mounted 0X- teriorly thereof, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, ducts extending through a wall of the chest and controlling the striker pneumatics, and vrlve actions removably secured within the chest and controlling said ducts.

29. A valve action applicable to the wall of an action chest having one of its walls grooved having port openings to register with ducts through the wall of said chest and provided with a diaphragm open as to its entirety to the suction action of the chest, the grooves being adapted to receive. the adjacent portions of the dia-phragms.

30. An action chest having one of its walls grooved to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms of valve units, a plurality of valve units. and operative connections trom the chambers of the valve units.

31. An action chest, a plurality of valve units within said chest and operative connections from the chambers of the valve units, aremovable duct piece with ducts and a head piece for said valve chest having a plurality of ducts one for each of said valve units.

An action chest, a plurality of valve units within said chest, operative connections from the chambers of the valve units, a head piece for said valve chest having a plurality of ducts one for each of said valve units, and cooperating with the ducts of the head piece and a removable duct piece cooperative with said head piece.

In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an act-ion chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a vacuum chamber casing, a series of primary pneumatic"elements and valve casings arranged wholly within the vacuum chamber casing, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, valves within the valve casings and inclosed thereby and power pneumatics one for each valve casing arranged without the vacuum chamber casing and operatively associated with the valve casings.

3t. In a pneumatic action tor musical inslruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a vacuum chamber casing, a valve casing positioned within the vacuum chamber casing, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragn'is, a primary pneumatic operatively associated with the valve casing, a motor pneumatic arranged without the vacuum chamber casing, means for establishing direct communication between the valve casing and the motor pneumatic through one wall of the vacuum chamber casing, and means for detachably supporting the motor pneumatic and valve casing on said wall of the vacuum. chamber casing.

In a pneumatic action for musical instrument-s, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a vacuum chamber casing, a valve casing positioned within the vacuum chamber asing, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, a primary pneumatic operatively associated with the valve casing, a motor pneumatic arranged without the vacuum chamber casing, one wall of the vacuum chamber casing having an opening there through, .and the valve casing and motor pneumatic having registering ports adapted to establish communication with one another through said opening .of the vacuum chamber casing.

'36. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a vacuum chamber casing, a valve casing positioned within the vacuum chamber casing, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, a primary pneumatic operatively associated with the valve casing, a motor pneumatic arranged without the vacuum chamber casing, means for establishing comniiunication between the valve casing and the motor pneumatic, means for detachably supporting the motor pneumatic and valve casing on the vacuum chamber casing, and a removable closure for the vacuum chamber asing permitting access to the primary pneumatic and valve casing.

37. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its *alls longitudinally grooved, a supporting wall, a valve casing, a motor pneunmtic. the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of .the diaphragms, said supporting uill having an opening thercthrough, and said motor pneumatic and valve casing having an opening in one wall thereof, and means for supporting the valve casing and motor pneumatic upon opposite sides of said supporting wall whereby the openings thereof directly register with the opening in the supporting wall.

In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic casing, valves, a. valve casing inclosing said valves and mounted upon the primary pneumatic casing, the grooves being adapted to receive the ad jacent portions of the diaphragms, and .an inclosing casing for the primary pneumatic casing and valve casing, said inclosing casing forming a vacuum chamber.

39. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic element, a valve casing mounted thereon, an'inclosing vacuum chamber casing for the primary pneumatic element and common valve casing, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, and means engaging one wall of the inclosing casing for detachably supporting both the primary pneumatic element and valve casing in place.

40. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic casing, a valve casing mounted thereon, an inclosing casing independent of the main casing of the instrument for the primary pneumatic and valve casings, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, and means engaging one Wall of the inclosing casing for detachably supporting both the primary pneumatic and valve casings in place, and a movable closure for the inclosing casin g permitting access to said detachable parts.

41. In a pneumatic action for musical instrun'ients, the combination of an action chest having one of its Walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic, a valve casing operatively connected therewith, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, a vacuum chamber casing, the said primary pneumatic and valve casing being positioned Within and inclosed by the vacuum chamber casing.

42. In a pneumatic action for musical instrui'ncnts, the con'lbination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic element, a valve casing secured thereto, a vacuum chamber casing, the said primary pneumatic element and valve easing being positioned within and inclosed by the vacuum chamber casing, said vacuum chamber casing having an opening leading to the outside and comnumicating with the valve casing.

43. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic casing, a valve casingconnected directly thereto, the grooves being adapted to receive the adja cent portions of the diaphragms, a vacuum chamber casing, the said primary pneumatic and valve casings being positioned within and inclosed by the vacuum chamber casing, and a conduit within the casing communicating with the primary pneumatic casing and leading to the outside of the casing for connection With a tracker bar.

H. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one oi? its walls longitiulinally grooved, a primary pneumatic, a valve casing connected thereto, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragms, a vacuum chamber casing, the said primary pneumatic and valve casing being positioned within and inclosed by the vacuum chamber casing, and a conduit Within the casing communicating with the primary pneumatic and leading to the outside of the casing for connecting with a tracker bar, said conduit being formed in sections, whereby to permit removal of the valve casing and primary pneumatics.

45. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, the combination of an action chest having one of its walls longitudinally grooved, a primary pneumatic casing, a valve casing mounted thereon, the grooves being adapted to receive the adjacent portions of the diaphragn'ls, a vacuum chamber casing, the said primary pneui'natic and valve casings being positioned Within and inclosed by the vacuum chamber casing, and

a conduit within the casing communicating with the primary pneumatic casing and leading to the outside of the casing for connection with a tracker bar, said conduit having a vent opening Within the vacuum chamber.

46, In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, an action chest, a head-piece with a plurality of ducts in vertical series, and a removable duct-piece having corresponding ducts.

4-7, In a pneumatic action for musical instrlnnents, an action chest having a removable wall, a head-piece with a plurality of ducts in vertical series, and a removable duct-piece having corresponding ducts.

48. In a pneumatic action for musical instruments, an action chest having a removable Wall, valve mechanisms and their cas ings within said chest, and operative connections from the casings oi the valve mechanisms, and a removable duct-piece having a plurality of ducts.

GEORGE P. BRAND.

Witnesses FRANCIS GoLnTY, Enrrrr REMoNn.

Oopien of thin patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." l 

